Muza-chan's Gate to Japan

Japanese traditions, Umbrella ghost, Origami version

Sun, November 20, 2011, by Muza-chan
I was always fascinated by the Japanese folklore tales, with their monsters, demons or spirits, so different than the western tales.
A good example (and one of my favorites) is the story about Tsukumo-gami, a type of Japanese spirit: it is said that an object older than 100 years (that's metaphorically speaking, meaning a long period of time), can became... alive.
And if that object was neglected or thrown away, it becomes furious, transforming into a haunting humanoid version of itself. Most of them are not dangerous, but they will perform pranks to scare their former owner.

The most popular Tsukumo-gami is Kasa Obake or Karakasa Obake, the Umbrella ghost... and this makes sense, because in Japan it is hard to think about any other object so often neglected and abandoned.
The Kasa Obake has the shape of a traditional Japanese umbrella (wagasa), with a single foot wearing a geta and with a looong tongue. It stays hidden behind its victim and it attacks by flying around with the tongue sticking out...

Here's a detail from an origami diorama photographed at the Japan Origami Museum from Narita Airport, Tokyo - there's an umbrella ghost here, ready to attack:

Karakasa Obake (Umbrella Ghost), Japan Origami Museum, Narita Airport, Tokyo
EXIF info:

Nikon D90
Lens: VR 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G
Focal Length: 20mm
Aperture: F/5
Shutter Speed: 1/40s
ISO Sensitivity: ISO 200


Popular searches:

# Sakura, cherry blossoms

# Kyoto travel

# Japanese trains

# Travel tips for visiting Japan

# Japanese castles

# Night time photos from Japan

# Tokyo travel

# Traditional Japanese house


  •  Home
  •  Featured articles
  •  A Japan photo per day
  •  Japan travel
  •  Japanese customs & traditions
  •  Japanese food
  •  Japanese history
  •  Anime & otaku
  •  Did you know? Japan facts
  •  About Muza-chan